What is a good diet for a gastric patient?

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Quick Answer

Fibrous food, such as nonacidic fruits and vegetables, coupled with foods that contain probiotic bacteria, such as yogurt, make for a good diet for a gastric patient. However, there is no specific diet that is an effective remedy for gastric ailments, says Healthline.

A healthy diet for a patient suffering from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease must exclude fatty and fried foods as these weaken the lower esophageal sphincter – the valve that shuts when stomach acids rise upward in the esophagus. A few greasy foods to avoid include French fries, cheese, butter, sour cream and lard. Foods such as meat, ice cream and chocolate must also be eaten only infrequently. Spicy foods, such as onion, garlic and hot curries, and acidic fruits and vegetables can also aggravate the symptoms of GERD, according to Healthline and the Mayo Clinic.

The right kind of food combined with moderate exercise, eating smaller quantities and at regular intervals, and abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes reduces the acid reflux problem. Patients with GERD must incorporate food that is high in fiber and low in fat into their diets. Such good foods include a cup of protein-rich beans, about two grams of ginger root added to tea, applesauce as an oil replacement, a cup of oatmeal and a bowl of “no-tomato, no-sauce” pasta, states Health.

Alternative treatments under a doctor’s supervision can also alleviate gastric symptoms. These include relaxation therapy, acupuncture and herbal medicines such as chamomile and liquorice, notes the Mayo Clinic.